‘₹1 lakh a month feels safe’: Woman calls it ‘biggest trap’ of 2026; video divides the internet | Today’s news
Years, to earn ₹1 lakh per month is generally considered a measure of financial success. However, the Instagram creator has challenged this common perception, arguing that the character has become “the biggest trap” in 2026 because it can create a sense of comfort that discourages people from striving for more.
In a video shared on Instagram, Nidhi Kushwaha said that while the monthly salary ₹1 lakh is enough to ensure financial stability, it can also become a hindrance to personal and professional growth.
‘ ₹1 lakh feels safe. That’s exactly the problem’
According to Kushwaha, monthly income ₹1 lakh is often enough to cover rent, pay bills, weekend trips, one or two vacations a year and cover most day-to-day expenses. While this level of income offers financial security, she argued, it can also create a false sense of stability.
According to her, that’s not the problem ₹1 lakh is too little, but the comfort it provides can dissuade people from taking calculated risks like changing careers, starting a business or exploring new opportunities.
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She said that once people start to feel settled, they often stop asking what they want more from their career or life. According to Kushwaha, this comfort can gradually slow down growth, even if people don’t immediately realize it.
” ₹1 lakh per month feels safe. That’s exactly the problem. Most people stay stuck for years not because of a lack of ability, but because of a lack of discomfort,” she captioned the video.
A viral video sparks a debate about convenience versus ambition
The video quickly gained traction on social media, where users offered varying opinions on Kushwaha’s argument.
Some users reported that the monthly salary ₹1 lakh no longer has the purchasing power it used to have, especially in metropolitan cities where the cost of housing, transportation and other living expenses have risen significantly.
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Others agreed with Kushwaha’s broader point, saying that financial comfort can sometimes lead to complacency and reduce motivation to pursue bigger goals.
At the same time, several users argued that success cannot be measured by income alone, and that financial stability alone is an achievement worth celebrating.
Internet divided over whether financial stability limits growth
One user wrote: “1 INR per month is just a peanut in India 🥜. It’s just a very basic amount for one person in India.”
Another commented: “Don’t fall for all the advice on Instagram, you worked hard to get this number. You have the power to use money wisely, invest hard and enjoy it with your loved ones.”
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A third user wrote: “It happened when you don’t know how to handle your finances.”
The debate has since intensified online, with many considering whether financial security supports long-term growth, or whether it can, as Kushwaha argued, become a comfort zone that limits ambition.